NCAA Tournament: Florida State receives second straight berth

As TBS meandered through the NCAA Tournament brackets on Sunday, the intriguing local scenario still was alive and feasible and seemed semi-inevitable. The Tigers' program was so irrelevant, so far from the tournament bubble and not even an afterthought on selection Sunday, when 68 teams are chosen and seeded for the sport's showcase event.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said Barnett would be available for the Tigers if they advance past the first round. The Tigers will face Florida State in the first round. North Carolina Central University/Texas Southern victor on Sunday also in Nashville.

Overall, the Noles have made 16 appearances in March Madness, last making the Sweet 16 in 2011.

As most experts predicted, the strength of the Seminoles' quality wins apparently outweighed any concerns about their late-season losses. They will play Florida State in Nashville on Friday with the victor of that likely facing one seeded Xavier. They had three wins over top 25 teams including #5 Florida, #12 North Carolina and #11 Clemson. But they have size on their bench, and by size I mean two players over seven feet tall who average over 10 minutes a game. Also in double figure scoring are seniors Phil Cofer (13.1 ppg) and Braian Angola (12.9 ppg).